A class Report on the role of engineers in a scenario. "The dying Shitalakshya River and Bangladesh Garments Industry."

1. American International University- Bangladesh
(AIUB)
Faculty of Engineering
Course Name: Engineering Ethics Course Code: EEE 3107
Semester: Spring 2020-21 Section: K
Student Name: Abdullah Al Mamun Shiam Student ID: 18-37075-1
Student’s Department CSE Submission
Date:
11/04/2021
Rubrics:
Category
Proficient
[6]
Good
[5]
Acceptable
[4]
Unacceptable
[2]
Secured
Marks
Explanation of
issues
Issue/problemto be
considered critically is
stated clearly and
described
comprehensively,
delivering relevant
information necessary for
full understanding.
Issue/problemto be
considered critically is
stated,described,and
clarified so that
understanding is not
seriously impeded by
omissions.
Issue/problemto be
considered critically is
stated,but description
leaves some terms
undefined, ambiguities
unexplored, boundaries
undetermined,
Issue/problemto be
considered critically is
stated without
clarification or
description.
Influence of
context and
assumptions
Thoroughly
(systematically and
methodically) analyzes
own and others’
assumptions and
carefully evaluates the
relevance of contexts
when presenting a
position.
Identifies own and
others’assumptions and
several relevant contexts
when presenting a
position.
Questions some
assumptions.Identifies
several relevant contexts
when presenting a
position. May be more
aware of others’
assumptions than one’s
own (or vice versa).
Shows an emerging
awareness of present
assumptions (sometimes
labels assertions as
assumptions).Begins to
identify some contexts
when presenting a
position.
Student’s
position
(perspective,
thesis/
hypothesis)
Specific position
(perspective, hypothesis)
is imaginative,
considering the
complexities of an issue.
Limits of position
(perspective, hypothesis)
are acknowledged.
Others’ points of view
Specific position
(perspective,
thesis/hypothesis)
considers the
complexities of an issue.
Others’ points of view
and assumptions are
acknowledged within
position (perspective,
Specific position
(perspective, hypothesis)
acknowledges different
sides of an issue.
Specific position
(perspective, hypothesis)
is stated,but is simplistic
and obvious.
Item:
Demonstratesindividual responsibilitiesbasedon norms ofengineering practice(CO4)
Report Title: Engineers shall accept responsibility for their professional activities, be accountable,
consciences and committed.

2. and assumptions are
synthesized within
position (perspective,
hypothesis).
hypothesis).
Innovative
Thinking or
uniqueness (of
idea, claim,
question etc.)
Extends a novelor
unique idea, question,
format, or product to
create new knowledge or
knowledge that crosses
boundaries.
Creates a novelor unique
idea, question,format, or
product.
Experiments with
creating a novel or
unique idea, question,
format, or product.
Reformulates a collection
of available ideas.
Conclusions and
related outcomes
(implications and
consequences)
Conclusions and related
outcomes (consequences
and implications) are
logical and reflect
student’s informed
evaluation and ability to
place evidence.
Conclusion is logically
tied to a range of
information, including
opposing
viewpoints; related
outcomes
(consequences and
implications) are
identified clearly.
Conclusion is logically
tied to information
(because information is
chosen to fit the desired
conclusion); some related
outcomes (consequences
and implications) are not
clear.
Conclusion is
inconsistently tied to
some of the information
discussed; related
outcomes (consequences
and implications) are
oversimplified.
Comments:
Total
Marks
(Out of
30):

3. The dying Shitalakshya River and Bangladesh
Garments Industry
I am Abdullah Al Mamun Shiam, an environment and public health engineer employed by the
Department of Environment. I work with preserving natural resources and environment. My
team consists of six members. There are three engineers and two technicians who are under
my supervision. This January we were assigned to test the water quality Shitalakshya River,
known as the lifeline of Narayanganj.
On my first field visit what I saw was pure hazard. We could tell by the looks of it that the river
was completely polluted. There were polythene bags, plastic bottles and mostly various kinds of
garments wastes floatingeverywhere. We tookwater samples from there.
The results were shocking. According to the data, the Shitalakshya River water exhibits EC, DO
and COD above the DoE suggested value and the water is consequently not safe for drinking,
household,irrigationand industrialpurpose.
Fig 2: Garments Wastes
Fig 1: Pollutants on the river body

4. Then we went to the main sources of these wastes ‘the factories’. Most of the factories
drainage was connected to the river. Around 70 percent factories were build beside the river
bed. And some factories even used pipes.
Various types of industrial units especially dyeing and textile industries have been established in
this area. More than 80% industries have no effluent treatment plant (ETP) and directly or
indirectly dumping their waste in the Shitalakshya River. Textile and dyeing industries discharge
their untreated dyewith heavymetals into the Shitalakshya River.
Descriptive statistics of the Shitalakshya Water:
These are some previous data of this river,
1. Descriptive statistics of the physicochemical parameter of waters :
Parameters N Min. Max. Mean SD
Temp. 30 21.50 31.30 27.06 3.82
PH
30 6.90 8.00 7.4767 0.25
Salinity 30 57.00 582.00 2.6147E2 198.26
TDS 30 80.00 754.00 3.6020E2 273.40325
EC 30 121.00 1167.00 5.4853E2 421.73384
DO 30 0.50 3.50 2.0967 0.85075
COD 30 800.00 480.00 2.1167E2 111.60532
∗∗Min.= Minimum, Max. = Maximum,SD = Standarddeviation.
2. Toxic metal concentration of the Shitalakkhya River water during June 2013.
ID No Cr in (mg/L) Cd in (mg/L) Ni in (mg/L) Cu in (mg/L) Zn in (mg/L)
St-1 0.1023 0.0133 0.3467 0.0477 0.0838
St-2 0.0991 0.0152 0.5130 0.0549 0.0481

5. ID No Cr in (mg/L) Cd in (mg/L) Ni in (mg/L) Cu in (mg/L) Zn in (mg/L)
St-3 0.0811 0.0065 0.1676 0.0447 0.0989
St-4 0.0551 0.0133 0.1772 0.1434 0.1300
St-5 0.0371 0.0125 0.1441 0.0160 0.0863
St-1 = Tarabo, St-2 = Khal ghat,St-3 = Cement industry,St-4 = Sinha textile,
St-5 = KanchpurBridge.
3. Descriptive statistics of the metal concentration in the Shitalakkhya River.
Metal N Min. Max. Mean SD
Cr 5 0.04 0.10 0.0747 0.02819
Cd 5 0.01 0.02 0.0117 0.00344
Ni 5 0.14 0.51 0.2708 0.15721
Cu 5 0.02 0.14 0.0613 0.04820
Zn 5 0.05 0.13 0.0894 0.02952
Min. = Minimum, Max. = Maximum,Std. = Standarddeviation.
At every step of the visit we saw alarming factors. We also interviewed the workers
(anonymously) and talked with the management. Firstly, most of the factories were not built
like factory infrastructures. They were like typical resident infrastructure which poses a great
risk for the workers.
But workers are not only threatened by unsafe buildings. Dangerous practices, such as the
unprotected use of chemical substances or sandblasting, continue to be common in the
industry. And even workers behind the sewing machine are exposed to health hazards, such as
noise, high temperatures and repetitivemotion.

6. Here are some mentions of the previous disasters in these sectors:
Fig 3. Tazreen Factory Fire, Bangladesh 2012.
Fig 4. The Rana Plaza collapse
These incidents functioned as an eye opener for the industries. Though things have changed
more work is necessary.

7. Stakeholders:
1. Local people and Fishermen:
The water is too polluted already. These river has been the route of transportation not so long
ago. Constant pollution has brought an end to the people using this river. The water can’t be
safely used for drinking, household, irrigation and industrial purpose. The fishermen are
sufferingquite a lot.
While talkingwith some fishermen, Kartik Das, a fisherman in Shitalakshya for 45 years,said:
"My father and his father before him were all fishermen,but I can no longer
sustain my familywith fishingas fish has become a scarce commodity. Once, the
river had such clean water, we used to bathe in it. We also used the water for
drinkingand cooking.Now, we cannot even go near it," added Kartik,shedding
tears of nostalgia.”
The constant pollution has also affected the ecosystem so much that days of abundant fish are
gone. Most fishes can’t survive and breed in such toxic conditions. The local peoples are
influenced byboth chemical and organicpollutants,because oftextile dyeingindustries.
2. Workers:
From the workers we came to know that, fainting is common in factories where workers make
long hours without proper ventilation or air conditioning. Also workers are subjected to verbal
and psychological harassment and violence, especially the majority of women in the industry,
who additionally potentially face gender based violence and sexual harassment and improper
maternityleave.
Fig 5: Working Environment

8. While the government guarantees maternity leave for at least 100 days for their first two
children. Around 50% of all women we interviewed said that they never enjoyed the proper
break.
They havevery little workspace as it is typicallycramped with other workers. This makes for
quite a hazardous workingenvironment.
Fig 6. Sandblasting Jeans
Sandblasting, a method to make jeans look old or pre-worn using pressurised air and sand, is
extremelydangerous for workers as it causes fatal silicosis and other respiratorydiseases.
Making matters worse, factory owners have taken strides to limit and prevent labor unions
from forming, even though they are legal. These factory owners are suppressing their workers
and takingadvantage of the situation.
3. Environment:
The Shitalakshya River, known as the lifeline of Narayanganj, the Dundee of East is ailing due to
severe pollution and land encroachment. The city stands on the bank of the river. Until the road
connections were fully developed almost 15 years ago, trade and communication heavily
depended on waterways. Now, the country’s one of the most important rivers has almost lost
her navigability,especiallyin winter,with the fall of water levels.
As most of the garments industry are situated here and the proper waste management system
are not followed by the garments factory, the environmental conditions of this area are
worsening day by day. The extensive amount of industrial waste such as, polyethylene, cloth
and papers are generated here daily. Narayanganj Pourashava authority is the only responsible

9. organization for waste management in this area. Everyday 120 to 125 tons’ waste are
generated in this area.
4. The Companies:
The garment industry of Bangladesh has been the key export division and a main source of
foreign exchange for the last 25 years. At present, the country generates about $5 billion worth
of products each year by exportinggarment.
The tendency of low production rates is the key reason for the transfer of garment
manufacturing in Bangladesh. A shirt made in Bangladesh is sold five to ten times of its
imported price in developed nations. That’s the reason our garments industry is flourishing.
These low rates come at a price. The price is this pollution, low labor wages and unusable
working conditions.
Obligations:
As an engineer, accordingto the NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers (Fundamental Canons) I’m
obliged to,
1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the
honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.
According to the “ASCE, 1997” law,
“Engineers shall hold paramountthe safety,health,and welfare of the public
and shall striveto comply with the principles ofsustainable development in the
performance of their professional duties.”
Also being environment & public health engineer my main job is to look out for the
environment, identify the problems and propose solutions. While considering solutions I must
also look for the ways of sustainable development. Economy should not be hurt as well as the
nature. And here the welfare of the public is also dependent on it. But every actions have
consequences.Mine are not different.
Possible Actions:
1. Reallocate or refactor the factory establishments:
A straightforward solution could be move these factories to barren lands or areas far from
publicand natural resources. This way, the river Shitalaksya can be saved.

10. These garments workers live on this facilities and garments industry being the key export
division ofour country. And an industrythis big can’t be changed in a mere day.
2. Ban on waste disposal in the river:
Well, we can put a ban on disposal. Though there lies the question where the law will be
respected and ordained perfectly. Besides, there’s another catch about solid waste. If the waste
is not dumped into the water they’ll either dump them in land or burn them. As a result, land
pollutionor air pollutionwill occur.
3. Ensure Healthy Workplaces:
About the working conditions there’s not much that I can do. Morally it is not right to me but as
an engineer I have to perform services only in areas of my competence (Code2). What I can do
is highlight these problems to the concerned authorities.
Though there’s not much to do, as infrastructures are costly. It’s not easy to replace these in
mere time.
Proposed Action:
All of the possible actions of consequences. Some actions are not even my forte or doesn’t fall
in my legislation.Moral dilemma lies in every aspect of this case.
Now I’m going to introduce you with waste or “jhuta”. Waste or ‘Jhuta’ of the garment industry
seems to be only garbage in the eyes of many, but for those who are involved in this ‘Jhuta’
business is showingits vast potentialityinside & outside ofthe country.
Fig 7: Jhuta shop located in Mirpur

11. Fig 8: ‘Junk worker segregating big pieces and small pieces of ‘Jhuta’.
Fig 9 : Different sample of sponge cotton (tula) made from different garments wastes.
Every day, about 550 tons of garment waste is being exported abroad from the port of
Chittagong. On the other hand, cotton, yarn or even clothes are now being manufactured from
these waste. Many people earn their livelihood by involving with ‘Jhuta’ processing or Jhuta
business.
Jhut Patti of Mirpur, Dhaka, is the largest area for Jhut Business in Bangladesh. Jinnah Sheikh,
who is involved in this business said,
“Small piece of clothes are the raw materials ofmy business.Anypiece of cloth
we can recycle. There is a huge demand for t-shirts wastes.”
BGMEA Vice-President Mahmud Hasan Khan said,

12. “There are two categories of ‘Jhuta’,one is from woven fabric another is from knit
fabric. The price of ‘Woven Jhuta’is low but the price of ‘Knit Jhuta’is
comparativelyhigh.”
But this business ain’t safe. It is considered Junk or other business related activities in
Bangladesh are going on unbounded. Due to the association with the dirt, the educators do not
want to come to this profession.
Director of the CuttingCloth Merchandise Societyin Mirpur, Selim said,
“With this business,we are working in cleaninggarbage of the garment industry.
But Alas! We often haveto be harassed.This business is between legal and illegal
conditions.”
Few investigation report claims that,there are approximately11thousand organizedcriminals
who havebecome desperate across the countryincludingcapital.Onlyin Narayanganj,there
are 15 groups and each group has minimum 100 criminals.This is not good sign for this
business.
Our Government Bodies should encourage this “jhuta” business. As a result, solid pollution will
go down and it our burden will become our resource. This is a sustainable solution for the
pollution that I can come of. Furthermore, a centralized business model can be emerged from
this.
On regard of the disposal issues some other rules can be introduced like,
1. Effluent treatment plant (ETP) installation can be mandatory for all garments industry
for decreasingthe toxicityof the produce waste.
2. Where the amount of waste is more, the number of bins should be increased and
placed at proper place of garments side.
3. For quick transport of waste, the vehicles such as Container carrier, Compactor, Arm
roller,Van etc. should be on proper operation.
4. Effective training programs about health & hygiene as well as overall environment
among the employees of the factory can be organized.
5. Make it mandatoryto all garments that they recycle their waste.
And for the labor rights and working environments, I don’t have that much authority. Though I
will notifythe concerned government authorities aboutthis matter.

13. Conclusion:
Sustainable development and proper disposal of waste in the industries can be the only
solution to this waste problem. Garments wastes are not waste, they are valuable and
recyclable. Every part is re-useable. Without recycling, the waste will either pollute water or in
contrast land. Solid waste disposal possesses a greater problem because it leads to land
pollution when openly dumped, water pollution when dumped in low land and air pollution
when burnt.
The view of “Jhuta” as a low lined business needs to change. As well as the syndicates regarding
“Jhuta” business. Often news breaks out involving fights, local influential mobs, murders etc
regarding jhuta business. Many people are going to work in the dirty shop for their livelihood,
to recycle waste and trying to build a business which can bring foreign money. But, if our
government does not give backing to this business and does not take any action to the
terrorists, this business will always remain out of the light. Also ETP should be mandatory for all
factories.
On regard of the worker laws, our Government has taken many actions after two major
tragedies, in 2012 and 2013, that left more than 1,200 workers dead. Better labor regulations
and safety conditions are implemented. The workers’ deaths have played an important role. It
is necessary for a company to pursue a competitive policy that improves quality, flexibility,
innovation and customer care. If they rely on low costs by dropping laborers’ wages and other
services, they will be bereaved of laborers’dedication to work.
References:
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